I wield power with my innate talents, and forge the Heavenly Court.

Chapter 159 City God, Land God

By staying by the leader's side, one can find opportunities to ask questions about the level of supernatural powers.

If a leader obtains some useless treasures or special items and casually bestows them as a reward, that would be an immense stroke of luck for them.

For example, the wooden swords, knives, and plaques that the leader once bestowed upon us, imbued with the leader's power, are absolute treasures, extremely rare and hard to come by. They can save your life in critical moments.

If Wuchang were to serve as the prefect outside the capital, he would have more power and relative freedom.

But such a reward would absolutely not be available to him.

Moreover, judging from his observation, this Department of Administrative Affairs was simply modeled after the Grand Secretariat of the Ming Dynasty.

Wouldn't his position as the Director of the Department of Administrative Affairs be equivalent to that of the Grand Secretary?

Naturally, when he learned that the dynasty wanted to transfer him to serve as the Director of the Department of Administrative Affairs, he immediately and happily agreed.

In fact, he did not fail the dynasty's expectations.

Since he took office as the Director of the Administrative Affairs Department, all matters in the department have become well-organized, and any problems can be resolved quickly.

The orders issued by the dynasty were also carried out very well.

After everyone arrived, Wang Chao explained Wang Dahu's letter and the general situation of the ghosts.

After reading Wang Dahu's letter and listening to Wang Chao's explanation of the current situation, Wu Chang, Wang Zhongyuan, Ji Mingyuan, and others all changed their expressions slightly and became extremely solemn.

I never imagined that there were immortal ghosts in this world.

However, after learning that extraordinary powers such as national destiny and iron-blooded evil energy could inflict damage on those ghosts, everyone relaxed a little.

Even so, everyone's expressions remained solemn.

After all, after another round of expansion, the Salvation Army now has nearly two to three hundred thousand extraordinary troops.

In addition, there were countless officials and members of agricultural cooperatives who possessed extraordinary powers, totaling over 100,000.

All of this adds up to nearly three or four hundred thousand.

However, compared to the vast majority of ordinary people, their numbers seem rather insufficient.

The entire Shaanxi province has a population of nearly ten million, and the People's Salvation Army, which occupies a small portion of Shaanxi, must have had a population of at least five million under its command.

After all, many disaster victims who could not survive in other parts of Shaanxi flocked into the territory of the People's Salvation Army.

For a moment, everyone fell silent, frowning as they pondered a solution.

Their only thought was to send out the corresponding militia to be stationed at major battlefields and burial pits, and to burn the bodies of the dead enemy soldiers on the spot after each battle.

However, this would result in a considerable expense in terms of manpower, money, and supplies.

Ultimately, everyone turned their attention to the dynasty, awaiting its decision.

Wang Chao smiled slightly as he met everyone's gaze.

"Hehe, actually the situation isn't that serious right now. I called you here just so you could spread the word and let the various departments in different places be prepared, so that we won't be caught off guard."
In addition, due to the suppression of the national destiny, people in densely populated cities generally do not need to worry about ghosts harming them.

Even in ordinary villages, those ghosts cannot easily approach.

In addition to the national destiny and the iron-blooded aura, the scholarly atmosphere of the school and the divine power of the Martyrs' Shrine also have a great restraining effect on ghosts.

"As long as shrines are built for the fallen heroes at the sites of battlefields and burial pits, and heavenly soldiers are stationed there to guard them, it will be possible to prevent ghosts from escaping and causing trouble."

Martyrs' Shrine, Heavenly Soldiers.
In an instant, Ji Mingyuan grasped the key point, abruptly raised his head, and looked at Wang Chao in disbelief.

Although he has now merged with the divine status, official position, and mastered many supernatural powers.

But now, upon hearing the word "heavenly soldiers," he still felt a surge of emotion.

Does this mean that those soldiers who died fighting to save the militia and their leader really went to heaven and became heavenly soldiers and generals?
So, if he also did his best and ultimately died for the cause of the militia and the leader, could he also ascend to heaven and become a heavenly soldier or general?
Even.
Yes, he is the head of the Commerce Department, and in the future he may become the Director of the Commerce Department, or even the Minister of Commerce of the Empire.

If he were to ascend to heaven, he would most likely be given the position of God of Wealth, right?

Thinking of this, Ji Mingyuan's eyes burned with desire. Gods, immortality, who wouldn't want that?

Gradually, the others also came to their senses and looked at Wang Chao in shock.

However, the most composed among them was Wang Zhongyuan, the first member of the agricultural commune to be selected as an official.

In his view, the leader was the Heavenly Emperor. If one died fighting for the Heavenly Emperor, wouldn't it be only natural for one to ascend to heaven and become a Heavenly soldier or general?

What's so surprising?
Of course, he also harbored some expectations, hoping that his insignificant achievements would earn him the opportunity to be promoted to an official position in the Heavenly Realm.

Even becoming a local deity or city god would represent the leader's recognition of his achievements.

Wang Chao observed everyone's reactions but simply smiled, neither refuting nor admitting anything.

"Hoo~!"

After a long while, Wu Chang finally came to his senses, took a deep breath, and after a moment of thought, asked another question.

"What if a place has several, or even a dozen, battlefields?"

Should we bury the fallen soldiers separately and build separate shrines for them?

Or perhaps they didn't die in the battle to save the militia?

After all, given the fighting strength of the militia, this situation was highly likely to occur.

Since this possibility exists, we must take it into account.

"Yes, that's definitely something to consider."

Wang Chao nodded, and then said:
"I have also considered this point."

That is to activate the City God Land system.

Upon hearing this, everyone gasped in surprise.

"City God? Land God?"

"Chief, do city gods and land gods really exist in this world?"

"Hey! I'm telling you young people, since you all have supernatural powers and heavenly soldiers and generals, isn't it normal to have city gods and local deities?"

Seeing everyone's astonished expressions, Wang Zhongyuan said dismissively. Upon hearing this, Wu Chang, Ji Mingyuan, and the others suddenly realized what he meant and their expressions changed.

Yes, they've all mastered supernatural powers, and judging from the leader's words, the heavenly soldiers and generals are actually real.

If that's the case, then the City God, the Earth God, the gods and Buddhas of Heaven and Hell, Yama and the ghost messengers, etc., could all possibly exist.

"Ha ha."

Seeing everyone's expressions, Wang Chao couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Upon seeing the dynasty in this state, Wu Chang couldn't help but ask out of curiosity.

"What are you laughing at, Chief? Are we wrong?"

"Hehe, at least in our world, there are no such gods, immortals, or Buddhas."
Those heavenly soldiers and generals were merely the transformed spirits of my soldiers who died saving the militia; they were different from the legendary heavenly soldiers and generals.
As for city gods, local deities, celestial beings, and underworld officials, I can tell you with certainty that they absolutely do not exist.”

"Oh~!"

The expressions on everyone's faces changed constantly, and they couldn't quite describe the feeling in their hearts.

I don't know whether to feel relieved or at ease.

However, everyone quickly perked up again, their faces showing excitement and enthusiasm.

The leader himself admitted that those soldiers of the Salvation Army who died in battle had all become heavenly soldiers and generals.

So, after they die, will these people also be able to ascend to heaven and become officials?

Wang Chao took in the changes in everyone's expressions, finding it amusing but not interrupting.

Their long-held mindset has not yet been broken.

Have they forgotten that, as long as they don't make any major mistakes, those of them with celestial status can continuously improve their cultivation and reach the realm of immortality?

At that time, having achieved immortality and wielding supernatural powers, what difference would there be between them and the immortals and gods?
However, the dynasty did not seem inclined to provide a detailed explanation.

It's fine to let them maintain this high level of enthusiasm.

Anyway, they'll eventually realize what's going on.

After about fifteen minutes, the crowd's excitement gradually subsided, and they all bowed respectfully to the dynasty.

"Chief, we were reckless and insolent. We beg your forgiveness."

"Hehe, it's alright!"

Wang Chao smiled and waved his hand, naturally not caring about the slight lapse in composure of the crowd.

"Hoo~!"

Taking a deep breath to suppress the chaotic thoughts in his mind, Wu Chang spoke in a deep voice.

"Chief, since there are no City Gods or Land Gods in this world..."

How can we harness the power of the City God and the local deity?

"Hehe, when I said I would activate the City God and Land system, I didn't mean I would borrow the power of the City God and Land."

Upon hearing this, Ji Mingyuan suddenly had a thought and said thoughtfully:

"Does the leader mean to re-appoint the City God and the Land God?"

They even bestowed titles upon the spirits of those fallen soldiers, appointing them as city gods, land gods, mountain gods, and water gods of their respective cities and regions.

Wang Chao gave Ji Mingyuan an approving look and said with a smile.
"Haha, that's exactly what I meant."

Wu Chang glanced at Ji Mingyuan and felt that Ji Mingyuan was a strong contender for his future position as Grand Secretary.

Of all the merchants throughout history, only Lü Buwei achieved the highest position in the court.

Especially in the Ming Dynasty, merchants were the lowest class in the public eye, despised by high-ranking officials, scholars and literati, and it was absolutely impossible for them to enter the imperial court.

However, the leader was clearly not comparable to the ruler of an ordinary dynasty; he did not exclude merchants and even established a commercial bureau.

Therefore, although Ji Mingyuan comes from a business background, he does have the potential to become the Grand Secretary.

Yes, he will definitely work harder and do better things in the future, and keep Ji Mingyuan firmly under his control.

As for thoughts of framing or suppressing him, they only briefly crossed his mind before he extinguished them instantly.

They are not an ordinary court, and their leader is not an ordinary monarch. Such deliberate framing and suppression of colleagues will only lead to the leader's dissatisfaction and alienation.

Although he had some ideas in mind, Wu Chang did not get distracted at this moment. Instead, his mind was working quickly to fill in any gaps in the City God's land system.

As time went by, the City God Land System was further improved by the people.

Under normal circumstances, the government in the mortal world governs the human world, while the city god and the earth god govern the underworld. The two do not interfere with each other and coexist without conflict.

Only in special circumstances would a city's lord or the local city god contact each other.

For example, when a hostile army is pressing in, or when an uncontrollable evil spirit is born, and the local soldiers and civilians are unaware of it, the local city god and land deity have the duty and power to communicate with the local official.

Similarly, when there is harm to the local earth gods or when their cooperation is needed, the local officials also have the right to communicate.

After the discussion, Wu Chang suddenly raised a crucial question.

"Are there so many fallen soldiers whose numbers cover the territory of my People's Salvation Army?"

"."

In an instant, everyone fell silent.

"Haha, don't worry."

Looking at the silent crowd, Wang Chao smiled and said:

"As long as there is incense and offerings, those heavenly soldiers will be able to sense it."
Therefore, it is entirely possible to assign numerous heavenly soldiers to serve as city gods and local deities in different places; it's just that the work will be a little busier.

"Phew, I see. That's good, that's good."

After hearing Wang Chao's explanation, everyone was finally relieved.

(End of this chapter)